Space debris engagement and deorbit system
AssigneeL'Garde, Inc.
InventorNathaniel C. Barnes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments described herein include innovative engagement devices. Exemplary engagement devices may include on or more tape spring systems. The tape spring system may include a continuous or segmented bi-stable tape spring. The tape spring can be stowed in a rolled up configuration, extended to a deployed configuration, and then triggered to return to a retracted configuration.
Claims18
An engagement device, comprising:
- a first tape spring;
- a second tape spring;
- a structure defining a surface supported by the first tape spring and the second tape spring;
- and
- one or more actuators to extend the first tape spring and the second tape spring from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration, wherein the stored configuration is configured with the first tape spring and the second tape spring are at least partially rolled and the deployed configuration with the first tape spring and the second tape spring are at least partially extended,
- a hub, wherein the first tape spring and the second tape spring extend outwardly from the hub, wherein the surface is coupled to the first tape spring toward an end of the first tape spring away from the hub in the deployed configuration, and the surface is coupled to the second tape spring toward an end of the second tape spring away from the hub in the deployed configuration.
An engagement device, comprising:
- a trigger system;
- a tape spring having a rolled configuration, an extended configuration, and a retracted configuration, wherein the rolled configuration comprises the tape spring rolled up, the extended configuration comprises the tape spring being extended having a stable configuration, and the retracted configuration comprises the tape spring in an intermediate configuration between the rolled configuration and the extended configuration, the tape spring configured to store strain energy as it is unrolled in order to self-retract upon initiation of the trigger system to the retracted configuration;
- a deployment system, comprising motors for driving or pulling the tape spring through a straightening mandrel, configured to unroll the tape spring from the rolled configuration to the extended configuration wherein the trigger system is for retracting the tape spring to transition from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration;
- a hub, wherein the tape spring extends outwardly from the hub;
- and
- a surface coupled to the tape spring toward an end of the tape spring away from the hub in the deployed configuration.
An engagement device, comprising:
- a first tape spring extending in a deployed configuration in a first direction;
- a second tape spring extending in a second direction in the deployed configuration, wherein the second direction is at least partially in an opposing direction from the first direction;
- and
- at least one actuator for extending the first tape spring and the second tape spring from a stored configuration where the first tape spring and the second tape spring is at least partially rolled to a deployed configuration in which the first tape spring and the second tape spring is at least partially extended,
- wherein the first tape spring and the second tape spring comprises free terminal ends in the deployed configuration and are configured to transition to a retracted configuration to engage a target object.
The engagement device of 21, wherein the first tape spring and the second tape spring are bent in the retracted position in an orientation between the stored configuration and the deployed configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.